Cycle lane going from ‘nowhere to nowhere’
Residents opposing the construction of a new cycle lane through a Cork city suburb will meet this evening to discuss “frustrating” revised plans for the project.
Members of the Ballyphehane Community Group met with local councillors and 2 Cork City Council engineers on Tuesday for a first look at the newly revised plans for the controversial cycle lane.
Residents were not happy with the revised plans and remain concerned that the cycle lane will remove residential and graveyard parking from Tory Top Road, as well as parking for sports events and local shopping.
They are also contesting the destruction of trees and the removal of a roundabout and traffic lights as part of the plan.
Speaking to the Cork Independent, local resident Denis Kelly said not enough changes have been made to the original plan and that if it goes ahead, residents and businesses in the area will suffer as a result.
He explained: “You wouldn’t think it, but there are over 100 people working on this road between the library, the Centra, the graveyard, the shops, the cafes.”
He also said the planned cycle lane does not connect up with any other cycle lanes in the area and goes from “nowhere to nowhere”.
“I've never seen anything to agitate people this much in a long time,” he added.
Commenting after Tuesday’s meeting, local Independent Cllr Mick Finn said any suggested changes to existing roadways within communities must take all interests into consideration.
“In the case of the active travel plans for Tory Top Road, the proposed raised cycle lane appears to discommode residents, businesses, the community centre and the school,” said Cllr Finn.
He added: “I welcome efforts to alter the original plans and thank the council staff for engaging with locals, but I still feel the plans detract from the area rather than add to it.”
Cllr Finn went on to say that although there are some positive elements to the plan such as a proposed pedestrian crossing at the Ballyphehane Community Centre, he could not support it as it is.
“I have several safety concerns about the proposals and certainly will not be supporting it in its current guise,” said the Independent city councillor.
Green Party Councillor Dan Boyle, who is in support of the cycle lane, wrote on social media that he had found himself on the “wrong side of the room” at Tuesday’s meeting.
“Have just been told by a constituent that he would 'knock my block off' for arguing why a cycle lane is a good thing. Must remind myself why I still do this,” tweeted the councillor.
The main elements of the proposed works on Tory Top Road are the provision of 600m of single uphill raised cycle track; pedestrian and cycle crossings; the removal of the existing roundabout at Tory Top Road/Connolly Road junction and replacement with new junction; new road marking and signage; and number of other necessary associated works.